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Where in the World are Antonio and Dante?
Antonio & Dante's Next Adventure
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We are at the Leaning Tower of Pisa
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"It is a good thing we got here just in time Antonio. This tower was going to fall, but I saved the day by holding it up. I don't think I can do this forever though." |
"Dante it is supposed to lean. That's why it is called the Leaning Tower of Pisa." |
"I know that, I was just having some fun with you." |
"You sure are the practical joker aren't you?" |
"Antonio, what exactly are you doing sitting on the lawn?" |
"I am trying to soak up some sun and enjoy the view." |
Below are just some of the interesting facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. |
- The first stone was placed on August 9, 1173
- The height of the tower is 55.863 m (183.28 feet)
- The diameter at the base of the tower is 15.484 m (50.80 feet)
- The tower was completed in 1350
- Construction of the tower was halted on several occasions due to war with Florence
- There are 294 steps from the ground to the bell tower (the steps spiral all the way to the top)
- There are eight levels to the bell tower
- The foundation underneath the tower is what caused it to lean (the leaning started soon after construction and was noticeable after 3 levels were completed)
- On top of the tower is a bell chamber with 7 bells (the bells are tuned to musical scales)
The names of the bell are as follows:
- l'Assunta - this is the largest bell and it was casted in 1654 by Giovanni Pietro Orlandi
- il Crocifisso - cast in 1572 by Vincenzo Possenti
- San Ranieri - cast between 1719-21 by Giovanni Andrea Moreni
- la Pasquereccia - this is the oldest bell and it was casted in 1262 by Lotteringo
- Del Pozzetto - cast in 1606
- la Terza - cast in 1473
- il Vespruccio - cast in the fourteenth century and again in 1501 by Nicola di Jacopo
- Legend states that Galileo performed his famous experiment (the experiment involved dropping cannonballs of different weights to prove his theory of falling bodies) atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- In 1987 the tower was included as part of the Piazza del Duomo UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Latitude: 43.7167 (43° 43' 0" N)
- Longitude: 10.3833 (10° 22' 60" E)
- On January 7, 1990 the doors were closed to the public
- On December 15, 2001 the doors to the tower were reopened to the public
- Tickets can be purchased in advance online (If you wait to purchase the tickets on site you may find out that they are sold out)
- The Tower is not open 24 hours a day (Here is a list of hours it is open and when the last climb to the top will take place)
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If you have the chance go visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If your health permits it make the climb to the top. At one point it will feel like you are walking on the wall. |
"Ciao for now - see you next week for a whole new traveling adventure!" |
How did you like our latest adventure? We would love to hear from you! Just send us an email to antonioanddante@italiansrus.com. Here is how you can help us on our journey. |
Additional Resources:
Pisa Photo Gallery
Tuscany Region Guide
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